Synopses & Reviews
Never be ripped off again. Whether the problem is with a local store, a multinational conglomerate, a contractor, a bank, your HMO, a car dealer or airline,
You Don't Need a Lawyerhelps you get what you want without having to resort to expensive and unnecessary legal counsel.
A system of self-advocacy that's based on complaint letters, You Don't Need a Lawyergrows out of Jim Kramon's thirty years' experience as an attorney. The key is learning to think like a lawyer. His system shows how to determine exactly what it is you want, determine what your opponent might want (nearly always to save money and avoid a hassle), and then present your case in the best possible light.
A complaint letter is not angry or insulting or sarcastic-it's clear, concise, fair, and professional, and it shows that the writer knows his or her rights. Kramon explains which buzzwords to use-wrongful denial, standard of care, recklessly negligent-and how to establish a paper trail and strengthen demands when one letter doesn't do the job. There are over 80 carefully written letters that cover almost any problem, from "Letter to Television Manufacturer Regarding Warranty Claim," to "Second Letter to HMO Requesting Tests Prior to Use of Medication," to letters to the IRS regarding an error on your tax refund, or to a negligent landlord about repairs. Rounding out the book is a brief, state-by-state guide to small-claims courts and a thorough listing of useful state and federal agencies.
Synopsis
A lawyer shows readers how to get what they want through a system of self-advocacy based on writing complaint letters that really work.
Synopsis
Don’t sue. Write. Whether the problem is with an airline, credit card company, auto insurance, HMO, IRS—whether large or small—you really don’t need to hire expensive and time-consuming legal counsel. You just need to send exactly the right letter.
Abounding with “practical legal advice on how to face off against Goliath corporations that have cheated or mistreated you” (Washington Post), You Don't Need a Lawyer is the guide to successful self-advocacy, and now it’s being republished in a smaller, compact size at the lower price of $14.95. Growing out of Jim Kramon’s 35 years of experience as an attorney, You Don't Need a Lawyer tells you exactly what buttons to push and how to push them. His system shows how to shelve emotions, determine exactly what it is you want, determine what your opponent might want (nearly always to save money and avoid a hassle), and then present your case in the best possible light.
A complaint letter is not an angry letter, or an insulting letter, or a sarcastic letter—it’s clear, concise, simple, fair, professional, and it shows that the writer knows his or her rights. Kramon explains which buzzwords to use—wrongful denial, standard of care, recklessly negligent, bad faith, lemon, hazardous—and how, when one letter doesn’t do it, to establish a paper trail and escalate demands. Over 84 carefully written letters follow for almost any problem, from “Letter to Television Manufacturer Regarding Warranty Claim” to “Second Letter to HMO Requesting Tests Prior to Use of Medication” to letters to a grocery store where a client fell, to the IRS regarding an erroneous tax form, to a landlord about negligent repairs. Rounding out the book is a brief, state-by-state guide to small-claims court and useful state and federal agencies.
Synopsis
Dont sue. Write. In a world where its every consumer for himself, this guide to successful self-advocacy shows how to make a letter your own court of law. And how to avoid the time, expense, and hassle of litigation.
• It is all about the money. Drawing on over thirty years of success representing clients who share the same problems and frustrations as the rest of us, James Kramon knows exactly how to push the right buttons. He shows readers:
1) How to determine exactly what you want. 2) How to determine what your opponent might want. And 3) How to present your case in the best possible light. He explains which technical terms to use, when to bring in an expert—even when to send the letter via regular mail or certified.
• Over 80 sample letters to follow, each proven to be effective. Change the pertinent details and use the letters as are, or follow them as loose templates.
About the Author
James M. Kramon, a graduate of Harvard Law School, opened the Baltimore law firm of Kramon and Graham in 1975. He has published over 50 articles dealing with legal matters as well as the book Smart Business for Contractors. He lives with his wife and two children in Baltimore.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Think Like a Lawyer 3
The Effective Letter 5
The Letters 19
GOODS AND SERVICES
(letters 1-23) 20
HEALTH CARE
(letters 24-37) 70
LIABILITY
(letters 38-39) 102
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
(letters 40-44)106
BANKS, INSURERS, CREDIT CARDS
(letters 45-57) 118
CEASE AND DESIST
(letters 58-60) 144
COLLECTION
(letters 61-62) 150
NEIGHBORS (letters 63-64) 154
SCHOOLS (letters 65-68) 158
LANDLORDS (letters 69-70) 166
EMPLOYERS AND CO-WORKERS
(letters 71-73) 170
TRAVEL (letters 74-78) 178
LETTERS IN YOUR DEFENSE
(letters 79-81) 188
SETTLEMENT LETTERS
(letters 82-84) 194
Appendix A 201
A BRIEF GUIDE TO SMALL CLAIMS COURTS
Appendix B 207
FEDERAL AGENCIES
Appendix C 209
STATE AGENCIES
Consumer Protection 209
Independent Review Panels for Health Claims Decisions 219
Insurance Commissions 229
Banking Agencies 234
Education Agencies 241
Agencies That Accept Consumer
Complaints Against Credit Card
Companies 247
Transportation Agencies 254
Appendix D 258
CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES
Index 259